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MISSION

It is the mission of Adopt the Arts Foundation to bring together well-known artists, public figures, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and the general public to save the arts in America's public schools. We believe that it is morally and ethically incumbent upon us to foster the creativity, dreams, hopes, and imaginations of our children.

Adopt the Arts is raising awareness and money to keep arts education in public schools in Los Angeles, and is gradually expanding into other cities. As in many school districts around the country, year after year LAUSD has been slowly eroding its commitment to arts education by reducing its arts education budget incrementally. According to it’s own numbers, LAUSD estimates that only 50% of elementary school students are getting some kind of art instruction at school. Some estimates suggest that LAUSD spends just 3 cents per child on arts education even though all scientific studies show that an education rich in the arts enhances academic performance, improves school culture, mitigates truancy and tardiness, and is instrumental in fully developing the young mind.

We are focused on developing strategic relationships with educators, administrators, and board members to ensure that we are identifying the most underserved schools in the district. Each school site is “adopted” by a working artist, celebrity, or public figure. And while monetary donations are essential to our mission, personal involvement on the part of successful actors, musicians, artists and entrepreneurs is vital to the success of our program. Too many children are in great need of being exposed to inspirational people who have worked hard for their successes. The interaction between the children and adoptee creates a sense of responsibility and shared commitment from all involved.

“This isn’t just about your kid who may or may not be in public school, this is about our community. A lot of entertainers and wealthy people in the entertainment industry don’t know what is happening in America’s public schools. Adopt the Arts is shedding light on the reality of public education and providing an opportunity for people to invest in their community.” Matt Sorum, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Adopt the Arts Foundation

TEAM

Directors

Abby Berman

Abby Berman grew up in Los Angeles and is an alumna of LAUSD schools. She went to UC Santa Cruz, where she studied Russian Studies. After graduating with High Honors, Abby spent a year living in Paris and London and then moved to Moscow one week after Yeltsin came to power. While working at the first commercial radio station in Russia, she was invited to join a Danish design and renovation firm. Abby was sent to Denmark to study design and then returned to Moscow where she designed and oversaw the construction of many homes for the “new Russians.” After being in Russia for five years she returned to England where she continued working as a designer for Russian clients. In 1998 Abby returned to Los Angeles to start a family.

The daughter of the ACLU lawyer who fought to desegregate Los Angeles public schools in the early 70’s , the concept that equal education is a civil rights issues has been deeply engrained from an early age. Abby believes strongly that an education rich in the arts is critical to the development of the whole child, and that every student, whatever their background or circumstance, should be provided an opportunity to excel.

Matt Sorum

Legendary, Grammy Award-winning drummer, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Matt Sorum, was born in Long Beach, California where he went to public schools. At the age of five Matt saw Ringo Starr of the Beatles play on the Ed Sulivan show and knew that he wanted to be a drummer. By fourteen he was playing gigs at the Whisky a Go-Go and Crazy Horse West. At school Matt played drums for the marching band.

Matt went on to form the band Y Kant Tori Read, with Tori Amos, and from there played with the Cult for two years, touring with Metallica and Aerosmith. It was during that tour, in the summer of 1990, that Matt came to the attention of Duff McKagan and Slash of Guns N’ Roses. They were blown away by his drumming and asked him to join the band.

After playing with GN’R for seven years, Matt brought his talents to production, scoring films and producing platinum-selling artists. But drumming remains a central part of Matt’s life, continuing to play with Grammy Award-nominated band Velvet Revolver, and the cover band Camp Freddy.

Although Matt’s passion has always been the drums, in recent years he has turned his attention to larger social issues. With producing partner Lanny Cordola, Matt co-founded Global Sound Lodge, an organization that brings students of music from around the world together through modern technology. And he has co-founded Adopt the Arts with the aim of ensuring that all school children have an opportunity to express themselves creatively through art and music.

GALLERY

Slash, Juliette Lewis, Tommy Hollenstein and Matt Sorum

ADOPT A SCHOOL

Our Adopt a School program is the best way to quickly give schools flexible arts and music programs. Join Matt Sorum, John Stamos, Mark McGrath, Johnathon Schaech, Adrian Young and Rob Prior and take part in this exciting new initiative. To learn more, email info@adoptthearts.org

SCHOOLS

In our short existence as a non-profit, we have already donated 1,000 instruments – providing modern band curriculums and vocal and instrumental classes – to 30 LAUSD elementary schools. There are many ways to help out, if you are interested in getting involved, we would love to hear from you.